KCSN Weekly: NFL Combine brings news, local basketball squads rebound for big wins and baseball is officially back
A weekly look at everything happening across Kansas City sports.
Between a veteran cap casualty, front-office transparency at the Combine, and a flurry of prospect meetings, the Kansas City Chiefs controlled the local news cycle. But baseball is underway in Surprise, March is knocking on the door for college hoops, and postseason positioning is beginning to matter everywhere you look.
Here’s where things stand across Kansas City sports.
Chiefs Check-In: The offseason news cycle is in motion
After restructuring Patrick Mahomes’ contract last week to create significant cap flexibility, the Kansas City Chiefs made another notable move, releasing six-year veteran defensive end Mike Danna.
The decision frees up nearly $9 million in cap space and signals that the roster reset is more than procedural. Danna developed from a fifth-round pick into a steady contributor and locker-room presence, but this move underscores Kansas City’s emphasis on financial flexibility heading into free agency and the draft.
The timing coincided with the start of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where general manager Brett Veach addressed the media. Veach spoke on roster construction philosophy, the importance of drafting well while maintaining cap health, and the balance between retaining core players and staying aggressive.
Holding the No. 9 overall pick has added an extra layer of intrigue. Thus far, Kansas City has reportedly met with several defensive prospects expected to be selected in the top half of the first round, if not the first round, including:
Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey
Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr.
Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy
Bain, in particular, has emerged as a fan-favorite projection around the ninth pick, and his formal meeting with the club only added fuel to that speculation.
Later-round meetings have included prospects such as South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse and Arizona safety Genesis Smith.
It may appear defense-heavy, but that reflects the Combine schedule; defensive backs and tight ends have wrapped, while quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and offensive linemen are still to come. Expect more offensive buzz in the coming days.
Royals Report: Early returns are outweighing final scores
The Kansas City Royals closed their first week of Cactus League play at 2–4–1. There’s no prize for spring records, but there have been encouraging signs.
Outfielder Lane Thomas and top catching prospect Carter Jensen each launched their first home runs of the spring yesterday.
Perhaps most notable was right fielder Jac Caglianone driving in three runs on an RBI single and an RBI double, another reminder of the upside he brings to the lineup.
On the mound, incumbents Seth Lugo and Noah Cameron each delivered two scoreless frames in their starts.
There was some concern, however, as Stephen Kolek was scratched from his second spring start due to a left oblique strain. The 28-year-old is competing with Cameron for a rotation spot and is currently undergoing testing to determine severity.
College Hoops: Frustrating losses followed by impressive wins for KU and MU
Kansas: Bounce back at the Field House
No. 14 Kansas split the week.
The Jayhawks were upset at home by Cincinnati, 84–68, as 8.5-point favorites. They responded in statement fashion, knocking off No. 5 Houston Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse.
KU now sits in a three-way tie for second place in the Big 12 with Iowa State, Houston, and Texas Tech — two games behind first-place Arizona.
Kansas State: Bad season gets worse
In their first full week without Jerome Tang, Kansas State returned to its struggles.
A blowout loss at No. 13 Texas Tech was followed by a 79–70 defeat at the hands of Colorado.
P.J. Haggerty led K-State in scoring in both contests (17 and 25 points), but the Wildcats continue to fight uphill.
Missouri: Bubble work continues
The Missouri also split the week.
A 94–86 road loss to No. 20 Arkansas was followed by a critical 73–69 home win over No. 22 Tennessee.
T.O. Barrett carried the Tigers against Tennessee, pouring in 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting.
Missouri is tied for fifth in the SEC with Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Kentucky, all teams the Tigers have beaten, and remains firmly on bubble watch, likely in “last four in” territory.
What to Watch This Week
NFL
Stay locked into the NFL Combine. Beyond prospect evaluations, this is when trade whispers and free agency rumors begin gaining traction.
Royals
Spring games continue against the Athletics, Rockies, Brewers, Angels, and Rangers.
The World Baseball Classic begins Wednesday at 9 p.m. CT (Australia vs. Chinese Taipei).
Royals participants include:
Bobby Witt Jr. & Michael Wacha (USA)
Salvador Pérez & Maikel García (Venezuela)
Vinnie Pasquantino & Jac Caglianone (Italy)
Seth Lugo (Puerto Rico)
Kansas
The Jayhawks are at No. 2 Arizona in one of the biggest remaining regular-season games nationally before staying in The Grand Canyon State to face Arizona State shortly after.
Kansas State
The Wildcats host TCU and West Virginia, both middle-of-the-pack opportunities.
Missouri
The Tigers are at Mississippi State and Oklahoma this week, magnifying two road games that could swing NCAA Tournament positioning.
Cap space is being cleared. Prospects are being vetted. Bubble résumés are being built.
It is a fun stretch of the calendar, indeed. We’ll be back next week to see what moved, what mattered, and what’s coming next across Kansas City sports.